New senior citizen food program to debut at Briscoe Park next month

SNELLVILLE – Gwinnett County officials briefed local senior citizens about a food program to make its debut at T.W. Briscoe Park next month.

While next month’s start date is not yet firm, the Snellville Satellite Congregate Senior Program will serve 40 seniors Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Betty McMichael Room in T.W. Briscoe Park on Lenora Church Road. Administered by Gwinnett County Department of Community Services, Division of Health and Human Services, the project receives federal funding through the Atlanta Regional Commission. Grayson will also host a county-administered satellite food program.

“The Snellville Parks and Recreation Department is very pleased to be partnering with Gwinnett County to help execute the Snellville Satellite Congregate Senior Program,” said Lisa A Platt, CPRP, Director of Snellville Parks and Recreation. “Our Senior Center and the programs we run are for more active adults and we do not provide any kind of meal program. By partnering with Gwinnett County, SPRD will be able to serve a section of our community that needs this assistance. SPRD, believes as Gwinnett County does, that we are here to serve our community and specifically our older adult community in mind, body and spirit. And this partnership allows us to serve our citizens in that capacity. We hope this is just the start of something that can grow and allow us to serve more who are in need now and in the future.”

The creation of the program in Snellville arose following the popularity of the food service in nearby Centerville where there is a waiting list of 156-pre-screened clients. The congregate program encourages senior citizens to not only come to a specific location to eat, but also learn about nutrition and physical health.

To participate in the program, those over 60 must be evaluated to determine their need for the program. After determining their need, senior citizens will likely be placed on a waiting list before they can take part in the program.

The program is separate from the membership-based senior programming at Snellville’s Senior Center next to City Hall.